The BLACK CROWES have started work on a new album for release later this year.

Chavis Records has signed a deal with the high profile L.A. rockers Firstroundknockout aka 1RKO for the release of their self titled debut. 1RKO features Simon Daniel (Jailhouse, Grind, Flood), Brian Spang, Rich Sacco, and Derek Stephens. 1RKO features a new classic rock sound driven by great songs and an infectious energy backed by years of experience. 1RKO will be available through major digital download outlets, online stores and mail order dealers June '07.

Press Release / We are delighted to announce that Tigertailz have signed a new deal with Sanctuary Records to release a new album titled - Thrill Pistol!This new TAILZ album will be a double CD pack that will also include a 'bonus' disc of the original Wazbones album which was originally recorded in 1991 but never officially released. The band head into the studio in April to record the new album with a release scheduled for August/September this year. More info including song titles / listings will here appear soon.Tigertailz have been confirmed to play the Gods Of Metal Festival in Milan, Italy on Saturday June 2nd. The festival runs on June 2nd, 3rd and then again on June 30th. The Tailz will play on Saturday June 2nd - @ show-time 13:30 - 14:20The full line-up for the festival is as follows:Gods Of Metal 2007 - Part I Milano - June 2 - Motely Crue, Velvet Revolver, Scorpions, Thin Lizzy, White Lion, Tigertailz

Manchester legends The Happy Mondays have signed a new deal with Sanctuary Records and have revealed that a new album will be out summer along with a major UK tour. Speaking to the NME, Happy Mondays lead singer Shaun Ryder explained: "I'm not the world's best salesman, me... I'm not a salesman at all. I think it's a really great album."Ryder also revealed that a new single would be released in June followed by the new album. The band also will play the following venues on the following dates:

Outside of a festival, it has been a long time since I have seen three outstanding bands on one bill, but that is exactly what we got here.Opening band Damone first came to my attention last year when I picked up a copy of their brilliant debut album “Out Here All Night”, and tonight they delivered a tight set- reminiscent of a heavier Avril Lavigne mixed with early Bon Jovi and Iron Maiden. I am pleased to report that they really can carry off the CD live, with tracks such as “Now Is The Time”, “Give Us What We Came Here For”, “Tonight” and the brilliant “Out Here All Night” getting the crowd going- this is a band to watch as I think they are going to be huge in the future.Up next we have Sweden’s Backyard Babies- a band I have seen many time, never lets the fans down and should have achieved way more than they have. From the opening chords of “People Like Us” to final song “Dysfunctional Professional” the band delivered a high energy, rock n roll set that included “Brand New Hate”, “Star War”, “Minus Celsius” and “Made Me Madman”. They promised to be back in the UK soon and if you have never seen the band live, get a ticket- you won’t be disappointed.Finally, we have Buckcherry, whose comeback cannot be underestimated- Grammy award winning and on course to become bigger than their first run, the band are tight, having fun and attracting a whole new audience alongside long-time fans.The set tonight is dominated by new album, 15, older songs such as “Porno Star”, “Whiskey In The Morning”, “Frontside”, “Crush” and the ever popular anthem that is “Lit Up” sit well among the likes of “Sorry”, “Broken Glass”, “Next To You”, “Everything” and the track that bought them back to worldwide attention “Crazy Bitch”. Buckcherry are back in the UK in June for Download- let’s hope they play a few other dates while they are here.

Nikk Gunns

Run DMC “Live At Montreux 2001” Eagle Records (Cat No EAGCD357)

Like most Rock fans I first became aware of Run DMC in 1986 when they teamed up with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry to create the world ‘s first rock/rap crossover record, and massive worldwide hit “Walk This Way”, a record that gave a massive boost to the careers of both bands- Aerosmith at this point had reformed but were not in healthy shape career wise, had it not been for this hit they may not have managed the highly successful comeback that has made them one of the biggest selling bands of the late 80’s/90’s.This live CD was recorded at Run DMC’s appearance at the 2001 Montreux Festival, one of their last gigs before the tragic murder of Jam Master Jay. The highlights include “It’s Like That”, “It’s Tricky”, “King of Rock”, “Peter Piper” and “Walk This Way”- complete with samples of Perry and Tyler and sounding as good as it did 15 years earlier (and a hell of a lot better than the recent effort by Girls Aloud and The Sugababes!!!).A lasting document to a truly groundbreaking band.

Nikk Gunns. 3 out of 5.

Swichblade “”Rock N Roll 4Ever” Perris Records (Cat No PER1862)

Switchblade’s new album is crunching guitar, sleazy rock n roll that will please fans of Circus Of Power, Junkyard etc. From the AC/DC style opening chords of “Mr Big Shot”, the powerful “Rocker” and other highlights “Desert Train” and “Man On The Run”, the band mean business. Vocalist Ken Anthony guarantees fans raw, high energy, in your face rock n roll with this album and that is what he delivers.

This AC/DC style album is infectious!! Dangerous Toys/Broken Teeth guitarist Paul Lidel has teamed up with Big Balls’ vocalist Lee Scott- a man who sounds very much like Bon Scott, to produce 10 tracks of adrenaline soaked, energetic rock.There is not one weak track on this CD, the highlights of which include “Wrong Number”, “Boozin’ Susan”, the excellently named “Seven Beer Bitch” and the slower “Hook Slide”. This CD is highly recommended.

Former Black Crowes guitarist Marc Ford releases his solo album “Weary and Wired”, an album on which he is joined by former Burning Tree band-mates Muddy and Doni Gray- 15 tracks which cover a number of styles.Overall there is soulful, bluesy thread holding the album together- there are a couple of Crowes style instrumentals in “Greazy Chicken” and “The Big Callback”, a bit of Brit-pop infused rock on “Featherweight Dreamland”, some deep down Southern style blues in “The Same Thing” and even a touch of Tom Petty on “Don’t Come Around” and some old rock n roll, Chuck Berry style, with “Bye Bye Suzy”.This mix works extremely well and gives the album a good feel throughout, what Ford himself refers to as “a more guitar based record”.“Wired and Weary” is released in the UK in May when Marc Ford will be over here playing.

Why Buy? Fans of The Black Crowes, Americana generally and The Stones will all enjoy this album.

Nikk Gunns. 5 out of 5

SLADE Whatever Happened To Slade 4/5 We’ll Bring The House Down 4/5 Till Deaf Do Us Part 4/5 Union Square / Salvo

Three remastered and fully bolstered albums from the kings of Noize, and three albums of damn good music that gets criminally overlooked. Kicking off with Whatever Happened To Slade, an apt title for 1977. Britain were well into punk and the NWoBHM was just round the corner. Legendarily titled after a genuine piece of graffiti, the album is a return to the band’s skinhead roots. It was also their first album since leaving Polydor. Some rough Slade style rock’n’roll, but gone was the glam (largely) and the kitsch. Still very much Slade, but if you’re only familiar with the early 70s hits this is a very different beast. There’s some great rough guitar. “Gypsy Roadhog” was a single, and “Burning In The Heat” an undiscovered classic that was spiffingly covered by Girlschool some years later. Heavy on the guitar too. Not as anthemic as “Merry Christmas Everybody” but there’s some decent guitar work and melodies that really do need checking out. A whopping 9 bonus cuts too! Following the successful 1980 Reading rejuvenation, 1981 saw We’ll Bring The House Down. Kicking off with the title track, a real rocker, it’s almost as metal as Slade could get. “Night Starvation” a modern chunky rocker with a catchy riff and vocal harmonies. A rightful return to the charts. The album combined some of the rockier tracks from the long overlooked / forgotten 1979 album Return To Base with some new numbers, and this CD comes bolstered by the remaining Return To Base numbers (to complete that album too) and some bonus cuts. A mixture of metal, rock’n’roll and new wave pop that worked remarkably well. Highlight is “Dizzy Mama”, a lengthy southern style boogie, a kind of nod at ZZ Top at their best. And for a bit of fun there’s also Slade’s rendition of “Okey Cokey”. Left me smiling, but not sure in what context. Oh and Dave Hill with a shaven head – not a pretty sight. Till Deaf Do Us Part was another great set. Also from 1981, it opened with “Rock’n’Roll Preacher”; yes there’s a nod at “Let There Be Rock” but in the nicest possible way. “Lock Up Your Daughters” dropped the boogie and was solid thumping rock song. Still classically Noddy Holder, but less cheese, not classic Slade but some damn good hard rock with that boot stomping Slade trademark. A very underrated period of the band’s career. All come in slip cases, thick well annotated booklets and bonus tracks. Well worth checking out.

Joe Geesin

HATESPHERE Serpent Smiles And Killer Eyes SPV

Moving from the melodic thrash of their previous 2 albums, this is a real sonic onslaught. Danish metal that’s pretty extreme, rough vocals, stomach churning riffs, and the occasional Anthrax styled melodic break. “Lies And Deceit” is to the point, and “The Stain” features some good range vocals, a great guitar solo and drum rolls to kill. As the album goes on, there’s a touch of melodic Kreator and occasional Napalm Death bursts. “Drinking With The King Of The Dead” has a great intro, a proggy metal Iron Maiden touch, and a Black Sabbath feel to the main riff. Something you can’t go wrong with. This album will make your ears bleed, but if you like that kinda thing you’ll love this album.

A long standing musician, big in America, the opening title track is a near unique blend of blues rock with soul and a nod at country. Kinda funky, not too dissimilar to Ian Hunter. “It’s Been A Long Time” is a down dirty honest blues rock track, the background fills on keyboard sounding polished. “You Don’t Know What Dirty Is” is more r’n’b, an element of Chris Rea too. There are acoustic moments too, it’s a pleasant album, very nice in places. 15 good tracks, but only a handful really bite.

3/5 Joe Geesin

Daryl STUERMER Go SPV

Virtuoso guitarist with a blues AOR feel. Instrumental too, the opening two tracks mix Toto with Chicago / Foreigner and a touch of blues and a nod at jazz fusion. Very bright production sound too. The guitar work superb, it kind of talks to you at times which I guess is the point of albums like this. Great melody on “Greenlight” and a rhythm that gets you going big time. At other times the tracks aren’t so moving, kinda slower and more emotional, but despite the virtuosity, it has more a coffee table sound. “Dream In Blue” is best skipped over for that reason. Others like “Breaking Point” open well but don’t go anywhere; always a problem for instrumental albums, no matter how good the music. Some great moments, but soon becomes directionless and samey. 2.5/5

Joe Geesin

Gary MOORE Close As You Get Eagle

Excellent new album from the Irish Blues Rock legend; Gary Moore has found a real return to form since he’s returned to the blues, and both his guitar and vocals are as distinctive as ever here. “If The Devil Made Whisky” is a down dirty blues number, some nice slide, “Trouble At Home” a typical Moore blues ballad, and “Thirty Days” an uptempo in-you-face rock/blues number, all catchy and memorable. Not a bad way to open a new album! Moore has clearly found his niche, and is doing extremely at it, it’s obvious he’s comfortable here. “Hard Times” is also a great song. But by track 5 we get “Have You Heard”, another ballad. Not that he doesn’t do them well, he does them very well, it’s just, if not one too many, certainly one too soon. A welcome relief is “Eyesight To The Blind”, a real heavy blues burst. An album full of this kind of work would be a real killer. Rhythm section and keyboards all blend in perfectly. That said, I am just in love with Moore’s guitar and vocals anyway. Why? Well here’s the proof! Just lose a ballad or two. Every other take on the blues is perfection. Even the closing “Sundown”, an acoustic number with some great slide. Earthy, good stuff!

4.5/5 Joe Geesin

Mark SWEENY Slow Food NL Distribution

Sweeny is a vocalist who’s done a lot of work, including fronting Chrystal Ball, and other projects as produced, backing vocals etc. This solo album could equally be a solo album by multi instrumentalist Michael Borman who co-writes and also plays most of the instruments. There are some nice tunes here, some great melodies, but the music is nothing special. It’s kind of typical mid 80s rock/pop. Not necessarily AOR, just ordinary rock. The vocals are good, with range, melody and emotion. And part of the melody of “Don’t Hold Back The Tears” is very reminiscent of Gary Moore’s “After The War”, only done in a more strumming.

2/5 Joe Geesin

RACING CARS 30th Anniversary Concert / Love Blind (2CD) Angel Air

Famed for their 1977 hit “They Shoot Horses Don’t They”, the band continued for several years and retained a level of popularity, as this 2006 concert on disc 1 shows. Solid rock, if a little poppy, Morty’s vocals a little husky. Recorded in south Wales, tracks from several albums get aired to much appreciation. “Down By The River” is a little funky, good soulful 70s rock fare. Their hit goes down a storm too, and the recording quality is excellent. The second disc is the album Love Blind, from 1981, and is released for the first time on CD. Originally billed as Morty And The Racing Cars, it’s a little poppier, and quite new wave too. You can almost hear the lipstick and quiffs, but the vocals suit the period well, strong too, nice bass lines and the guitar good too. The keyboard takes more control of the melody on opener “Are You Big Enough” than on the 70s material. “Honeymoon To Babylon” is more reggae. A good package (as you’d expect from Angel Air), good music, this will please fans no end.